Call bell dilemma

[Dbarnhart]

I have a simple solution for the multitudes of call bells that would not only reduce the number but also produce revenue for the hospital. Simply give each patient a daily quota of "free" calls and after the quota is met, then a charge per bell will be charged to the patient. A different level of free service bells could be based on the condition and diagnosis of patient. This would not take the place of hourly rounding.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Simply give each patient a daily quota of "free" calls and after the quota is met, then a charge per bell will be charged to the patient. A different level of free service bells could be based on the condition and diagnosis of patient. This would not take the place of hourly rounding.

This is a great idea! If patients knew they had to pay per frivolous call, I am certain the number of frivolous calls would plummet.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Charge? Money? How many of our patients will ever pay their bills I wonder? Trouble is, I doubt money is a motivator for certain patient populations, because they are not paying anything.

Some people do not think about consequences unless the consequence happens now; (who cares about a future bill when pushing the button pays off now?)

Now, I do understand about limit-setting. Sometimes nurses have to get firm and direct about problem behaviors. I had a few patients recently who were on a fluid restriction. They begged for water from everyone who passed the door. A firm talk about limits and some consistency among the staff helped reduce the calling out.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I knew of an assisted living facility that had that system. One lady ran up the bill so high, even after her daughter chastised her. She ended up coming over to the nursing home 🙁

[LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN]

I recently started in a LTC that does NOT HAVE CALL BELLS!! It's freaking amazing. What they have is pendants they press that go directly to the aide's beeper. I only get the alert on my cell if it's an emergency page or a call light has gone unanswered for more than 10 minutes. It;'s my favorite thing ever lol.

[cdsavannah59, CNA]

Great idea, until someone sues saying they didn't want to push the call bell when they fell because they couldn't afford to make another call.

[Nurse Leigh]

How about a call light that has user go through a "phone menu" with numbers to press for different options. :

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I recently started in a LTC that does NOT HAVE CALL BELLS!! It's freaking amazing. What they have is pendants they press that go directly to the aide's beeper. I only get the alert on my cell if it's an emergency page or a call light has gone unanswered for more than 10 minutes. It;'s my favorite thing ever lol.

Just so annoying when you're the aide! Lmao

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

most of my pts dont pat their bills anyway, so they wouldnt care.

Nice thought, but too much liability

Especially in those hospitals that promote customer SERVICE.

:***:

[Double Dunker]

Rumor has it this (automated phone-tree type thingy) being trialed somewhere in my hospital. Too many bugs to work out to go hospital-wide yet

[NOADLS]

Give the patients a quota of "hospitality" related calls and unlimited "nursing" related calls. Liability problem solved.

Either way, answering the call bells is the CNA's job, so this wouldn't impact me.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

And this is why, when I'm not at clinicals, the sound of beeping or bells makes me paranoid!!! I'm like, "what is that noise! What's going on?" Then my child has to explain, that's part of the tv show or its outside!

#alarmfatigue